1. “Nyalay Brima” – 1975 –  Brima, Professional Kalimba artist, palm wine gatherer, roadside salesman

http://fohsalone.s3.amazonaws.com/Nyalay_Brima.mp3

During my 2-year Peace Corps service in Blama, Sierra Leone, 1973-1975, Brima played his kalimba (thumb piano), within earshot of my home. His music drew me to his roadside palm wine stand on the laterite dirt road that ran parallel to my house. We developed a friendship based on our mutual interest in kalimba music and my appreciation of his musical mastery. As I prepared to return home to Lubbock, Texas in 1975, he agreed to allow me to record him as he played. He wondered what I would use the recording for. I said I would share his music with my family and friends in the United States. You can listen for him, laughing and making comments  during his song, ending with his vocal signature, “Nyalay Brima!” (I am Brima.)